tech-divergence

Tech Divergence Skill

Evaluate technical implementation options using an 8-dimension scoring matrix. Low scores auto-proceed; high scores (>= 4) trigger Gate 4 for human decision.

When to Use

• During Plan Mode Phase 2 (Technical Diverge)
• Before committing to a specific architecture or pattern
• When multiple valid implementation approaches exist

Scoring Matrix (8 Dimensions)

Each dimension scores 0 (auto-proceed) or 1 (adds to checkpoint score):

Dimension	0 (Low Risk)	1 (Checkpoint)
Pattern	Exists in codebase	New pattern required
Scope	Single domain	Cross-domain impact
Data Model	Add field to existing	New entity/table
Dependencies	Use existing libs	New dependency
API Surface	Internal only	Public/breaking change
Reversibility	Easy to undo	Requires migration
Security	Non-sensitive data	Auth/permissions
Performance	Simple CRUD	Cache/queue/optimization

Phase 1: Gather Context

1.1 Query Pattern Library (Notion)

Check if similar patterns exist:

API-query-database:
  database_id: "[PATTERN_LIBRARY_DB_ID]"
  filter:
    property: "Domain"
    select:
      equals: "[current domain]"

1.2 Search Codebase

SemanticSearch: "How is [similar feature] implemented?"
Grep: "[pattern name]" in relevant directories

1.3 Query Context7 (External Libraries)

If new libraries are being considered:

Context7 MCP:
1. resolve-library-id: libraryName = "[library]"
2. get-library-docs: topic = "best practices", mode = "info"

Phase 2: Score Each Dimension

For each of the 8 dimensions, evaluate and score:

## Technical Divergence Score

| Dimension | Score | Rationale |
|-----------|-------|-----------|
| Pattern | 0/1 | [Exists/New] |
| Scope | 0/1 | [Single/Cross-domain] |
| Data Model | 0/1 | [Field/Entity] |
| Dependencies | 0/1 | [Existing/New] |
| API Surface | 0/1 | [Internal/Public] |
| Reversibility | 0/1 | [Easy/Migration] |
| Security | 0/1 | [Non-sensitive/Auth] |
| Performance | 0/1 | [CRUD/Optimization] |
| **TOTAL** | [0-8] | |